HCA 2205 - one channel running hot?

[Agamemnon]

I just bought a used 2205 and the cooling-fins at it's back gets very warm.
Almost to warm to touch.
It's placed on the floor, well away from the wall and other components.

Should I be concerned, or is there a reason for it?

[Chris D]

Agamemnon, are you reading Zoran's post on the same issue?

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=26855

Welcome to the Guide and Club Parasound, too! :banana:

[Agamemnon]

Thank you, Chris.
I'm not new to the Guide, but this is my first Parasound and I really, really like it. :T

I did read Zoran's post, but the diffrence in temps in my case are probably more like 20 degrees (Celsius).
The amp runs warm even if I dont use the channel, and it stays warm after turning the pre off.

[Peter Nielsen]

I did read Zoran's post, but the diffrence in temps in my case are probably more like 20 degrees (Celsius).

That's too hot. Yes, you should be concerned. That amp needs to be serviced. (It could be as easy as adjusting the idle bias).

Peter

[Agamemnon]

Well, not really the answer I wanted.

I was hoping some mysterious Class A circuits were located there, giving of the heat.

Finding a servicecenter in Sweden wont be easy, since there aren't even any dealers here anymore.
I'll just leave it with a local guy and hope for the best.
He's been building amps for a few decades so checking the bias wont be a problem for him....

[Peter Nielsen]

I was hoping some mysterious Class A circuits were located there, giving of the heat.

Sorry. All the channels are identical, and should behave that way. (My guess: The previous owner may have kept the amp in a closed rack that did not give the 5th amp on the middle panel enough air contitioning...)

Finding a servicecenter in Sweden wont be easy, since there aren't even any dealers here anymore.
I'll just leave it with a local guy and hope for the best.
He's been building amps for a few decades so checking the bias wont be a problem for him....

Then it sounds like it's in good hands! Parasound amps have an excellent design that follows standard amplifier design criteria. There is nothing mysterious about Parasound amps. However, I would recommend that your service guy is using original Parasound replacement parts (if needed) instead of generic replacements. Tell him: "Om du måste byta ut någon komponent, vänligen beställ originaldelen från Parasound. Jag vill ha originaldelen, inte en substitution!"

Peter

[Agamemnon]

Some pretty good swedish there, Peter.
Are you from around here, or did Babelfish just get a major overhaul?

I intend to use original parts, but hopefully there wont be any need for it.
There's nothing else suggesting anything is seriously wrong with the amp.

Thinking about it, it's also very hard to determine how hot something gets by touch.
50 degrees centigrade feels very warm, and 60 has almost a burning sensation to it.
The diffrence in my case might be closer to 10 degrees than 20...

[hamtor]

Some pretty good swedish there, Peter.
Are you from around here, or did Babelfish just get a major overhaul?

He is from Finland

[Peter Nielsen]

He is from Finland

Yep... I'm of the 5% minority of Swedish-speakers from Finland. (Swedish is my mother tongue).

Peter

[Agamemnon]

The name Nielsen had me guessing on Denmark, or maybe Norway.

Still no update on my problem, since the service guy is away on vacation.
He wont be back for at least another week....
Been thinking about disconnecting the channel for now, since I'm running a two-channel setup ATM.
Good or bad idea?

[blownrx7]

Good idea!
Disconnectiong the suspect channel will present no problems until you can get it properly checked out.

[Agamemnon]

Finally an answer I like.

But just to clarify: I'm talking about disconnecting it internally by pulling the connectors to that board.

[Agamemnon]

It's done.
A bit tricky since I had to remove the back end to get to the power-connector.
I tried without disconnecting it at first, but it got just as hot.

I'm really hoping nothing else will go wrong with it now because of this